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CORIANTON
A N ephite Story
BY B. H. ROBERTS
PREFACE.
COPYRIGHTBD BT
B. H. ROBERTS
1902
-.1^
Corianton was first published as a ser-
ial in the Contributor, 1889. At that
time the story was well received by a
large circle of readers and the Author
was urged by many of his friends to
continue in that line of composition, as
much good might come of it. A call
came to engage in other work, however,
and the delightful field just entered had
to be abandoned. During the years that
have intervened since the first publica-
tion of the story, many have inquired if
Corianton would not appear in booklet
form, to which the Author always replied
in the affirmative, but without being able
to say when the time of publication would
come. Since the simple Nephite story,
however, promises to become famous
through Mr. O. U. Bean's dramatization
Preface.
of it, many — I may say very many — have
expressed a desire of forming the ac-
quaintance of Corianton as he first ap-
peared; and hence the Author presents
Corianton, the Nephite.
CORIANTON.
CHAPTER ONE.
THE PRISONER.
'^4
The summer's sun was just strug- • fc*\^
gling through the mists that overhung 5
the eastern horizon, and faintly gilding^ '£
the towers and housetops of Zar^Jhemla', ^9
af, a party of seven horsemen, evidently
v/eary with the night's travel, were seen
slowly moving along the foot of the hill
Manti, in the direction of the above
named city.
The manner in which the party
traveled was evidently by pre-arrange-
ment, and for a purpose. Two rode in
advance and two in the rear, while the
other three rode abreast, the one in the
Corianton .
middle being closely guarded by those
who rode beside him. A second look
showed that his arms were securely
bound behind him, and the guard on
each side held the powerful horse he
rode by means of a strap of raw-hide
fastened to the bridle. The prisoner was
the most, in fact the only person of strik-
ing appearance in the little cavalcade,the
others being rather heavy, dull men of
serious countenance ; the prisoner, how-
ever, had an air of boldness and
cool defiance which contrasted sharply
with the humble aspect of his guards.
He sat his horse with an easy grace
which gave less evidence of fatigue from
the long ride through the sultry night .
than that exhibited by his guards; the
man, indeed, seemed especially adapted
for endurance. The head, too, was
massive and the countenance striking;
the brilliancy of the bold black eyes
challenged contest or flashed back defi-
ance, while the peculiar expression
about the mouth, half scornful smile.
The Prisoner. 7
half sneer, seemed to breathe contempt
for all things on which he looked.
The party now came in full view of
the city. "At last," with mocked solemn-
ity, exclaimed he that was bound,
"the soldiers of Christ and their pris-
oner behold the holy city, where dwells
the great prophet — even God's High
Priest, who smites with the words of his
mouth, and with the breath of his lips
slays the wicked !" and the speaker
laughed scornfully, but his guards made
no reply.
"Methinks ye soldiers of the king
that is to be, give scant homage to a
shrine so holy as this — why, think men,
this is the abode of God's vicegerent,
the headquarters of heaven on earth
so to speak ! And yet ye move on in full
view of this holy .shrine unbowed ! Down
slaves, and worship the place of my
sanctuary — so run the words of holy
prophets, is it not so?"
Still no answer.
"Yet uncovered and unbowed? Ah, I
8
Corianton.
forgot, you are from the land of Gideon,
where dwells another of these holy
prophets — and, it may be, that to wor-
ship at this shrine would be treason to
your own High Priest ! O, thou bright-
eyed goddess of liberty, what distrac-
tion, what fears must disturb the breasts
of the poor, craven wretches who wor-
ship aught but thee !"
Further remarks of the scoffer were
cut short by the guards in advance
urging their horses into a brisk gallop,
h.r. example followed by the rest of the
party. The good broad road, down
which they dashed, sloped gently from
the -western base of the hill Manti to the
gate in the east wall of the city. The
road had been cut through a primeval
forest, and the strips of woodland on
either side of it, still untouched by the
woodman's ax, made of it a grand
avenue. Here and there to the right
and left were lanes leading off to the
fields beyond, toward which agricul-
tural laborers were slowly moving to
^
The Prisoner. 9
begin the toil of the day. These
turned to look with unconcealed wonder
upon the strange party as it dashed
past them, and some few turned back to
the city, bent on finding out who the
prisoner was and what was afoot.
As the party drew rein near the gate,
tv'o guards armed with heavy sworda
and long spears, challenged their en-
trance, and demanded their business.
"Great God!" exclaimed the prisoner,
"and this is the people who boast of
their freedom ! This is the free city of
Zarahemla! and yet here stands the
minions of the High Priest and the Chief
Judge to question whence ye come and
why !"
"We come from the city of Gideon,"
said one of the guards of the prisoner,
in answer to the questions, "we have in
charge Korihor, the anti-Christ, who
seeks to destroy religion and subvert all
government; we" —
"Thou liest, almost as well as a high
priest," broke in the prisoner; "I seek
lO
Corianton.
but to root out of men's minds the false
traditions of the fathers concerning God
and Christ, and to make them free! I
only"—
"You will do well," quietly replied he
whom he had interrupted, "to make your
defense before the High Priest and Chief
Judge of the city, and not before your
own and the city guards." Then turning
to the guards of the gate he continued:
"We have brought Korihor from the
city of Gideon where he was tried" —
"For his virtues," broke in the pris-
c>ner.
— "for his offenses," continued the
guard, not heeding the interruption
"but the Chief Judge at Gideon hath
sent him to the Chief Judge of the whole
land in this city, to hear his case, and
he"— j
"And God's. High Priest," spoke up
the prisoner, "I charge thee, guard,
leave not out the holy prophet, I long to
meet in sharp contest the vicegerent on
earth of your Christ that is to be — 'ac-
cording to the holy prophets.' "
The Prisoner.
II
"Well, then, we seek the High Priest
and Chief Judge before whom this man
is to be tried," said the guard, evidently
vexed with the mocking tone of the
scoffei .
"Pass on," said the guard at the gate:
"Com," said he to his companion, "con-
duct these men to the Judgment Hall,
give their prisoner to the keeper of the
prison, then direct them to the house
of the chief judge ; I shall wait until you
return; and I pray God that this bold
man may be silenced, for before now he
liath disturbed the quiet of our city not
a little."
As the party passed through the mas-
sive gateway,Korihor turned to look back
at the guard, and raising his voice, said
to the crowd which had gathered there
rather than to the onetvhom he addressed,
"Guard, tell your good people as they
pass in and out of the city, that Korihor.
their friend, who would see them free, is
in bonds for liberty's sake, and is soon
to be tried before an imperious High
12
Corianton.
Priest and a tyrant judge, for honest dis-
belief in the foolish traditions of their
fathers— tell them this, and ask them if
the time has came when all men must be
slaves to superstition !" There was an in-
stant buzz of excitement in the crowd, for
Korihor was not unknown in Zarahemla.
A few months before he had been
through that city and had spoken boldly
against the prophets and the traditions
respecting the coming and Atonement of
Christ. Since then he had been travel-
ing through the land of Jershon among
the people of Ammon, there he met with
little success; for that people bound him
and banished him from their lands. From
thence he went into the land of Gideon
where he sought, as in other places, to
stir up sedition. He was brought before
the High Priest and Chief Judge of that
city, and they being in doubt as to what
they ought to do with him, bound him
and sent him to the High Priest over the
whole church, and to the Chief Judge of
the whole land, both of whom resided in
the city of Zarahemla.
*m
CHAPTER TWO.
ZARAHEMLA.
The city of Zarahemla which our
party of horsemen and their prisoner
had entered, was the capital and metrop-
polis of the Nephite Republic. Its ex-
act location cannot be definitely fixed.
According to the Book of Mormon it
was situated on the west bank of tho
river Sidon, a noble stream, supposed to
be identical with the river Magdalena.
It rises in the great mountain chain of
western South America, and flows di-
rectly north through an immense val-
ley to the sea. The city Zarahemla was
originally founded by the descendants
of a colony of Jews that escaped from
Jerusalem, after the destruction of that
city by King Nebuchadnezzar, early in
the sixth century B. C. With the colony
of Jews that escaped was Mulek, the son
of King Zedekiah, and the colony took
its name from him. They landed in the
13
M
Corianton.
Zarahemla.
15
northern continent of the western world
and afterwards drifted southward into
the valley of Sidon, and there founded a
city, but what name they gave it is not
known. Having brought no records with
them from Jerusalem, and being in pos-
session of none of those incentives to the
preservation of civilization, it is not sur-
prising that they deteriorated to semi-
civilized and irreligious conditions. Seri-
ous wars broke out among them at times,
but they preserved themselves a people,
and by the year 200 B. C, had become
very numerous. It was about this
time that their chief city was discov-
ered by a migrating host of Nephites
from the South, led* by Mosiah I, whom
God had commanded to gather together
the more righteous part of the people
of Nephi and take them into the land
northward. A double purpose was
served in this movement: first, the
righteous Nephites were relieved from
the oppressions practiced upon them
by their more vicious brethren; second,
■S
they carried enlightenment, and especial-
ly the knowledge of God, to a numerous
people. At the time of the arrival of
the Nephites in the valley of the Sidon,
one Zarahemla was the recognized lead-
er of the descendants of the people of
Mulek. It was a Nephite custom to
name their cities after the men who
founded them, and the surrounding
country after the name of the chief city
therein. In this instance the Nephites
doubtless named the city after the chief
man they found there, "Zarahemla," and
the surrounding country "the land of Za-
rahemla." But as suggested, this may not
have been the name of the city previous
to the advent of the Nephites. The two
peoples readily united under the form of
government known at that time among
the Nephites, viz., a limited and at times
elective monarchy. Mosiah, the Ne-
phite leader, became king of the united
people. He caused that the people of
Zarahemla should be taught in the
knowledge of their forefathers; and in
i6
Corianton.
reverence for the God of Israel. Both
peoples were greatly benefited by this
union. The people of Zarahemla so
strengthened the Nephites in numbers
as to make them strong enough to resist
i-ny attempted invasion of Lamanites;
while to the people of Zarahemla the
Nephites brought their civilization, their
ideas of government, and enlightenment
through means of education.
At the time of the opening of our sto-
ry, 75 B. C, something of a republican
form of government or reign of Judges
had supplanted the before mentioned
monarchy. King Mosiah I. was suc-
ceeded by his son Benjamin, and he by
his son, under the title of Mosiah II. It
was ■ the reign of the last mentioned
king that the remarkable revolution took
place which resulted in the establishment
o/ the Nephite Republic in place of the
kingly form of government which under
various modifications had existed from
the first Nephi, until about 91 B. C, or
seme sixteen years previous to the events
Zarahemla.
%7
■
i
recorded in the preceding chapter. The
revolution seems to have occurred at
that time in consequence of the sons of
the second Mosiah refusing to accept
the kingly dignity. They had conse-
crated their lives to the service of the
Church, and had departed on missionary
expeditions among the Lamanites. The
good King Mosiah II. was fearful that
if the people elected a king, as was their
light under certain contingencies, his
sons might subsequently seek to take
possession of the throne they had ab-
dicated, and thus bring on civil war. In
his anxiety to avoid the possibility of so
great a calamity he proposed a change
in the constitution by which the kingly
form of government should be abolished,
and a species of republic established in
its place. The principal feature of the
new constitution was the provision for
the election of a Chief Judge and sub-
ordinate Judges, graded most likely
according to the importance of the city
or district of country over which their
20
Corianton.
also of the republic. He did not hold
the double office long, however; for find-
ing that the office of Chief Judge so oc-
cupied his time that it forced neglect
upon his duties as High Priest, he re-
signed his civil position after eight years
of service, that he might devote himself
exclusively to his ministerial calling. Ne-
phihah was elected to the office of Chief
Judge, and held that position at the open-
ing of our story. By this action of Alma's
the office of High Priest was separated
from that of Chief Judge, still there ap-
pears to have been some participation in
the affairs of government by the High
Priest. Not that there was a union of
church and state as that term is usually
understood, for the Church was recog-
nized as being separated from the state;
but while they were distinct societies,
tliey were close neighbors, and nearly
interested in one another; they lived
separate, but not estranged; and each
helped the other at need. And hence
it happened that the High Priest at times
sat with the Chief. Judge in cases in-
volving the interests of the Church.
CHAPTER THREE.
THE BROTHERS.
Meantime our party passed down
one of the principal streets of the ancient
city, into the market square. Here many
were engaged in unpacking fruits and
vegetables from huge baskets strapped
scross the backs of asses, and arrang-
ing them under awnings to preserve
them from the scorching rays of the sun.
In the richest profusion were piles of
fruits and vegetables,luscious grapes and
fragrant bananas, lemons, limes, figs,
dates, bread-fruit and a variety of vege-
tables such as the tropics alone can pro-
duce. Purchasers were already throng-
ing to the market, and as our party from
the city of Gideon passed on, Korihor
shouted to them, as he had done to the
crowd at the gate, which resulted in
quickly gathering a throng of men who
eagerly questioned the guards as to the
man's offense — "alleged offense, you
mean," he cried, "for I am guilty of no
21
22
Corianton.
crime, except we have fallen on those
evil days to which the idle traditions c£
our fathers tend, when to disbelieve the
words of ancient dotards styling them-
selves prophets, and giving expression to
one's honest thoughts has become a
crime; or when resisting the oppression
of judges, who ever have one ear turn-c
to a priest to learn what superstition
teaches is the word of God, be a wrong ;
and when to be the friend of liberty, a
foe to tyranny whether in priest or judge
— and an enemy to an enslaving supersti-
tion, is considered worthy of bonds and
the prison."
This and much more that he said as
he passed along, surrounded by his
guards, produced no little excitement i;i
the crowd, for in those ancient days and
distant climes, as well as in our own
day those who persuaded men they were
not well governed had many willing
followers ; and then as now demagogae.s ,
blasphemers and the enemies of law and
order knew what a tower of strength
The Brothers.
23
the cry of freedom gave to a cause, how-
ever unworthy or destructive of the very
thing in the interest of which, ostensibly,
they worked.
Having passed through the market-
square and through a narrow, irregular
street, with massive, two-story stone
houses on either side, which marked the
n)OSt ancient part of the city, the guards
suddenly turned to the right into a large
square, on one side of which stood an
immense structure of hewn stone with a
wide, high porch, supported by massive
pillars, and approached by a broad flight
of stone steps. This was the Hall of
Justice, as indicated in an inscription
carved in the stone above the porch. To
the right of the building extended a high
stone wall in which was hung a heavy
wooden door, plentifully studded with
iron spikes. To this door the guard
who had led the party from the east gate
of the city directed his footsteps, and
taking a small wooden mallet suspended
by a chain fastened to the door post, he
24
Corianton.
struck the door three smart blows, and
a moment later a small wicket in the
upper part of the door was opened and
a harsh voice demanded what was
wanted.
"A guard of horsemen from the city
of Gideon bring with them to the judg-
ment seat of the High Priest and Chief
Judge, one Korihor, charged with seek-
ing to breed sedition and subvert the
government; they deliver him to the
care of the keeper of the prison — open
the door and admit him at once — the
people are becoming excited and may
raise a tumult." The latter clause of the
sentence was delivered hurriedly and in
ar/ undertone. There was a profuse
rattling of chains, the falling of an iron
bar, and the door swung open with a
grating sound. Meantime the guards of
Korihor had assisted him to dismount
and with their prisoner before them, and
leading their horses, passed into the
prison-yard. A number of men pressed
close after them, but were denied admit-
The Brothers.
25
tr.nce by the gate keeper, who drove
them back and closed and barred the
door.
Seeing Korihor safely bestowed, and
their horses cared for, the guards from
Gideon were conducted across the square
fronting the Hall of Justice, to the house
of the Chief Judge, and presented to him
the communication or commitment from
the High Priest and Chief Judge of
Gideon.
The crowd which had been attracted
b}- the unusual spectacle of the small
cavalcade passing through their streets,
and the animated speeches of the pris-
oner, still lingered in the public square,
gathered in groups, discussing the events
of the morning. "I tell you," said ?
hard visaged man to a group of listeners
standing near the center of the square, —
''I tell you there is too much truth in the
complaints of Korihor. The High Priests
and the Chief Judges are becoming too
arbitrary in their rulings; there's too
much said about law and order and not
26
Corianton.
enough regard paid to personal liberty."
"Tut, man," said a voice from the
outskirts of the group, "whenever has
a disturber of the peace, a blasphemer
of God, an enemy to religion come
amongst us but what he has taken refuge
behind the cry of "liberty?" So did
Nehor in the first year of the reign of
the judges; so did Amlici five years
later; and Korihor is such as they were,
and with like cunning adopts their cry of
"liberty," when in reality his principles
lead to the destruction of freedom and
all its safeguards. Believe me friends,"
he continued, addressing the crowd
among whom there began to be great
agitation — "Believe me, not every one
that cries out against God, religion
rnd the law is a friend to freedom, they
aie always its enemies. The law stands
watch and guard over your rights and
liberties; by that Korihor will be judged
and justice rendered. In the meantime
let not your minds be carried away by
the persuasions of men whose business is
The Brothers.
27
pgitation, who prosper by violence, and
thrive on tumults." So saying, the young
man, for such he was, putting his arm
about a still younger man who stood at
his side, walked away. The crowd also
A^ began to break up, the man who had
been harangueing it when interrupted,
muttering that it could only be expected
that the sons of the High Priest would
defend the oppressions of their father;
they themselves were interested.
As the two young men were crossing
the square, the younger said to his
brother: "Notwithstanding what you
si'id just now to the crowd, Shiblon, and
ihe truth of it in general, I think this
treatment of Korihor is too harsh. Our
law protects a man in his belief and in
the expression of it; and though Korihor
hath a proud bearing and holds what
you believe to be dangerous views, still
I think the officers at Gideon exceeded
their jurisdiction in sending him bound
to this city."
"Holds what I believe to be dangei-
cus views ! And do not vou believe them
28
Corianton.
i
The Brothers.
to be dangerous? Corianton, I fear the
spirit of unbelief, the moral and spiritual
poison that the orations of this same man
mfused into your soul when he first ap-
peared in our city, hath not yet been
worked out." The hot blood rushed to
the temples of Corianton at this accusa-
tion, and he replied with some warmth,
not unmixed with bitterness : "It has
not been the fault of brother Helaman
or yourself, then, for I have heard little
else since his departure from Zarahemla
but your lame arguments in support of
the shadowy traditions of our fathers
about the coming of Messiah and his
Atonement."
"I am sorry to find you in this mood
my brother," replied Shiblon, "and it
grieves me to hear you speak so lightly
of things that are sacred; but if too
much restraint has been thrown upon the
liberty of Korihor by the authorities of
Gideon, you know full well that justice
will be done him in the court of our
father and the Chief Judge— you know
29
;
that no oppression is countenanced by
them."
At this moment the guard from the
gate who had conducted those in charge
of Korihor to the presence of the Chief
Judge passed them, and in answer to a
question from Corianton replied that the
case of Korihor was appointed to be
heard on the morrow^.
"It is the time of day," said Shiblon
to his brother, "appointed for the meet-
ing of the priesthood, to consider the
mission about to be appointed to the
Zoramites. Our father sent me to find
you and bring you to the council, for I
think he wishes you to be a party to
the undertaking."
"You may go, brother, but I will not,"
replied Corianton. "I have no relish for
these dull councils, and as for converting
the Zoramites, they may be as nearly
right in their theology as yourself or our
father, for aught I know ; the whole sub-
ject is so wrapt in mystery that we can
at least afford to be liberal, and not bind
30
Corianton.
men and thrust them into prison for dar
ing to assert their unbelief in these mys
terious things."
"But it is the express wish of father
that you should attend this council,"
said Shiblon, "out of respect for him,
will you not come?"
'Say, to our good father the Priest,
that I am gone to visit one who is cast
into prison for the cause of liberty."
Then seeing the pained expression in
his brother's face, his manner changed,
and placing his hand affectionately on
his shoulder he said: "Shiblon, go thou
to the council, and give no further
thought to me ; let me follow the bent o.f
my own mind. Your steady patience;
vour deep conviction as to the truth of
the traditions of our fathers: your wis-
dom and goodness make you a fitting
minister for God, if such a being there
is; you are destined to become a pillar in
the church; not so with me; my wild
love of liberty can ill brook the restraints
of the gospel or the priesthood, and the
The Brothers.
31
skepticism ingrained in my very nature
disqualifies me for the work I could
readily believe you were designed to
support. But I'll none of it, until I see
some manifestation of the power of God
spoken of so frequently by our father
and of which the scriptures speak on
nearly every page; so farewell." Turn-
ing on his heel, he bent his footsteps in
the direction of the prison gate, while
Shiblon with a troubled heart stood
gazing after him.
"David had his Absalom, Lehi, his
I.aman, and this my brother, my father's
darling son, seems destined to wring my
father's heart, as they did theirs. Oh !
why is it, that those formed in the very
prodigality of nature — endowed with a
heaven-born intelligence — genius — must
be cursed with a dclubting, rebellious
spirit that weighs down all their better
parts, and wrecks the hopes, built on
what their talents promise? Oh, that
some good angel would my brother
meet, as was my father met, shake off his
32
Corianton.
doubting fears, and give him back to
us converted to the truth and pledged to
its maintenance, as was my father ! Then
how would shine that master power
within him which overawes men's minds
or bends them to his purpose! Brother,
flout me, resist me how you will; I'll
follow you through all your fortunes^
good or ill, and win you yet to God and
truth 1"
With these words on his lips, and this
pious purpose in his heart, Shiblon, the
son of Alma the Priest, directed his
steps to the council chamber.
CHAPTER FOUR,
IN THE HALL OF JUSTICE.
The next morning the sun shone
more brightly than on the day before. /^
Through the night a terrific storm had
taged. Black clouds burdened with
moisture had been split by vivid flashes
of lightning, and poured down all their
floods. But with the approach of light
the storm ceased, the clouds parted and
drifted into great cumulous heaps light-
ened to snowy whiteness by the glorious
morning sun. The air was fresh and
pure, the electric storm having dispelled
the mists and fogs so common to the
tropics.
Long before the sun had reached mid-
way between his rising and high noon,
the open square before the Hall of Jus-
tice was filled with groups of men, some
boisterously disputing the rightfulness
of Korihor's treatment, and others with
equal warmth defending the action of
the authorities of Gideon.
33
34
Corianton.
The Hall of Justice was crowded to
overflowing with men anxious to see
and hear the man, who had by a few
leaps and bounds sprung into notoriety.
The hall within was circular in form,
v/ith tiers of stone seats rising one
above the other, their regularity broken
only by three promenades extending
three-fourths of the way around the
building. The entrance was through
two wide double doors in the south,
along a walk leading into a circular
space, around which ranged the first row
of seats, and from which ran flights of
steps leading to the seats and prome-
nades above. On the west side was a
spacious platform with two seats well to
the back of it, raised on a dais, evidently
intended for the high officials of the
state.
A murmur that commenced near the
entrance and then extended to all parts
oi the house, gave notice that some one
of importance — perhaps some of the
In the Hall of Justice, 35
chief actors in what was to take place
that day— were entering. Two men
v.-alking side by side and preceded by
two guards and followed by two, passed
up the short flight of steps to the plat-
form, and occupied the seats before
mentioned. One of them was still in
the prime of manhood, with a full beard
and glossy black hair. The eyes were
deep set and black, the forehead low and
broad, the lower part of the face square
and heavy. The stature of the man
was in keeping with the face ; below the
common height, broad shouldered and
ungraceful, the whole aspect was stern,
almost harsh— such was Nephihah, the
Chief Judge of the whole land. His
companion, the High Priest, was a
different type of man; tall in person,
slightly stooped with age, a high reced-
ing forehead, and hair of silvery white-
ness. In that face one could see com-
passion, patience, tenderness— all the
qualities in fact that go to make up the
highly spiritual temperament. But, as
36
Corianton.
one may say, back of the indications of
those qualities stood others of sterner
character. The closely compressed lips,
together with the whole form and move-
ment was expressive of determination;
while the light that flashed from the eyes
when animated, bespoke a quick spirit
within. But now as he takes his seat
by the side of the Chief Judge, his whole
air is calmness, almost sadness; and in-
deed, care had drawn many and deep
lines in the noble face of Alma.
Neither of these officers, though the
foremost men in the great Nephite Re-
public, wore any badge of office ; but
was dressed very similar to hundreds
of common people in the hall. The
dress consisted of a sort of tunic drawn
over a close fitting under garment, gath-
ered in at the waist by a girdle and ex-
tending to the knees, but leaving the
arms and legs bare. Over the tunic was
generally thrown a light robe, very often
ot rich material and varying in color to
suit the taste of the wearer; on the feet
In the Hall of Justice. 37
sandals were worn, fastened to the feet
and legs by broad thongs of tanned deer
hide — such was the male dress of that
period among the Nephites. The chief
judge's tunic was of light brown, with a
dull red robe thrown over the shoulders.
The tunic of the high priest was white
and his robe a light blue gathered in
graceful folds about his person.
At a signal from the Chief Judge one
of the guards left the hall and soon re-
turned, conducting to the platform Kori-
hor and the guards who brought him
from Gideon, a few others following —
friends of the accused. Among the lat-
ter there was one whose graceful form
towered above the rest, whose step was
more firm, and whose every limb and
feature and movement seemed conscious
of power and pride. As he followed
Korihor up the steps to the platform and
stood near him, the High Priest started
from his scat — there was a convulsive
twitching of the fine features, and then
the tears stole silently down his furrowed
38 Corianton.
cheeks. He had recognized his son
Corianton, as the follower of this un-
believer. He was aware that his son
had called upon him the day before,knew
that he had expressed some sympathy
for him, but he was not prepared to see
him thus openly identify himself with the
cause of the scoffer against God.
As Korihor took his place before the
Chief Judge the latter unrolled a parch-
ment which contained the charges
against him, as set forth by the authori-
ties of Gideon.
"Korihor," said he, the voice was
strong and harsh, "you are charged, by
the authorities of the land of Gideon
with having sought to stir up sedition,
disrupt the government and destroy re-
ligion. It doth not appear, however, that
you have set on foot any definite move-
ment, or organization looking to the ac-
complishment of these unworthy pur-
poses. It cannot be said you are guilty
of any overt act in pursuance of your
pernicious doctrines, but have merely
In the Hall of Justice. 39
agitated for them by your speeches.
Our law cannot punish a man for
his belief nor for the expression of it,
therefore it is our decision that you be
set at liberty. However, it becomes my
duty to caution you that the path you
tread is filled with danger, both to your-
self and those you may induce to follow
you. Let me remind you that our present
system of government has been most
fruitful of happiness to the people, and
holds out to them the fairest promise of
future good ; and he who becomes its
enemy, becomes the enemy of the peo-
ple, and in the end must come to sorrow.
Let not. therefore, your love of notorie-
ty, or any other motive, betray you into
seeking it, by paths so pregnant with
dnnger to yourself should you fail, and
so disastrous to the public weal should
you succeed. You are acquitted before
the law of the land ; but the High Priest
may have some advice for you."
"Acquitted by the law of the land —
now I suppose I am to be tried by the
^Q Corianton.
Ij,,,. of— heaven!" said Korihor. "Well,
we've heard from earth, now we are
ready to hear from heaven— what a pity
^le other place," pointing significantly
downward, "is not also represented, we
would then have a trinity of you to hear
from. Proceed heaven !" said he, turn-
ing to the High Priest.
"Korihor," said the High Priest, "your
speech ill becomes your intelligence,
your" —
"What, has a priest turned flatterer,
can a priest speak to an opponent in fair,
well-seeming words? You know well to
whom vou speak-one who will not
kneel in the dust before you-one who
feirs neither you nor your gods, but
whose soul abhors you both, and is free
from your superstition and the slavish
submision it begets, else we should
have had thunder from 'God's mouth-
piece,' and not the melUauous tones
breathing softly-'Korihor, your speech
ill becomes your intelligence;' but go on,
r
S»
In the Hall of Justice. 41
speak as is your wont, I despise your
flattery as I defy your power."
"Think not I meant to flatter," con-
tinued the High Priest, unmoved by the
rude interruption, "for I meant to say.
had you listened patiently, that your
utterances are but the vain repetition of
what others of like temperment have
said before you. You scarcely do more
that repeat, parrot-like, the catch
phrases of Nehor and Amlici, your im-
n:ediate predecessors in this ribaldry of
blasphemy."
This was a conclusion of the sentence
Korihor had scarcely expected, and the
scoffer felt that his impetuosity had
placed him at a disadvantage.
"Why do you go about to destroy the
people's belief in God and their hope in
Christ?" continued the High Priest.
"To undeceive them, to free them
from a groveling superstition, which
bows down their souls that they dare
not assert their rights and liberties, nor
42
Corianton.
raise their heads in manly pride, nor
gratify their appetites, lest they offend
the God of your tradition — a being who
never has been seen or known, nor ever
will be. I seek to strike off the servile
chains, with which your priests have
loaded them, in order to bring to pass
your own designs — that you may glut
yourselves with the labors of their hands,
and hold them at your mercy. I would
see men free from superstition, acknowl-
edging no power more potent than their
own, I would teach them that intelli-
g-^ent management is providence, that
genius is God; that this life— so far as
we know — terminates existence, and
therefore they should encompass all the
pleasure possible, by enjoying what
the appetites and passions crave. I tell
thee, proud priest, now playing at hu-
mility,'' he exclaimed with sudden ve-
hemence, '"your religion is slavery;, your
priesthood, a fraud; your Christ, a de-
lusion: your God, a lie!"
The great audience grew breathless at
In the Hall of Justice. 43
the fierce denunciation, and then the
calm but strong voice of the High Priest
rang through the hall — "Could a decep-
tion, a lie produce such supreme joy in
the hearts of men as the faith of this
people in God does?"
"Yea it could, and the proof of it is in
that it does; but the joy this people
think they have is not joy; man never
tastes joy until he breaks away from all
restraint, and feels himself accountable
to no one for his actions, then and then
only is he capable of joy."
" 'Tis a lying spirit prompts thee so to
answer," replied Alma, "for never while
sense and judgment keep their seat in the
mind of man can he cast off restraint, or
become dead to the sense of moral re-
sjjonsibility ; therefore what you would
call joy would be the wild delirium of
the madman or the drunken — long may
this people be preserved from such ioy
as this — its spirit is drawn from hell, its
effect is destruction. Equally false is
your statement that the priests glut them-
44 Corianton.
selves on the labors of the people. From
the commencement of the reign of the
judges, seventeen years since, until now,
I have labored with my own hands for
my support; and notwithstanding all my
travels for the Church, and labors in it,
I have never received even one senine
for my labors, nor have my brethren, save
it were in the judgment seat; and then
we have received only according to the
law for our time. What doth it profit us
to labor in the Church, then, but to de-
clare the truth, that we might have hap-
piness in the prosperity of our people?"
The scoffer was silent at the calmness
of the high priest ; something in the
manner of Alma moved him strangely ,
but he stared boldly in the face of the
speaker. Corianton, however, mani-
fested more uneasiness, for under the
calm exterior he saw the spirit in his
father awakening.
"Korihor," said the High Priest, and
there was an intensity in the voice now
which thrilled the whole assembly, "yo"
In the Hall of Justice. 45
rrock at religion, you deny the existence
ot God, but I testify to you there is a
God, and now will you deny his ex-
istence or blaspheme his name?"
"Yea, that I will ! What, thinkest thou
because a High Priest says in solemn
tones, 'I tell thee, Korihor, there is a
God,' that I will crouch at his feet and
confess what ye would call my sins, and
like an echo say "amen" to your testi-
mony ? By the gods, if such there be, you
must think my spirit easily over-awed ! I
tell thee no, there is no God — ye have no
evidence that there is — give me proof of
his existence — let me see a manifestation
of his power — show me a sign !"
"All things testify of his existence.
The traditions of our fathers affirm it" —
"The traditions of our fathers!" con-
temptuously broke in Korihor, "I de-
mand a living sign, and you talk to me
of tradition!"
— "The written testimony of many of
the prophets from the beginning of the
world to the time our fathers left Jeru-
i^
46
Corianton.
salem, as recorded upon the brass plates
they brought with them into this land,
prove his existence ; the testimony
of all the holy prophets that God hath
laised up to minister to this people de-
clare it; and back of these witnesses
stands all nature — the earth with its
wealth of fruits and flowers and vegeta-
tion and animal life; the rains which
make it fruitful, the glorious sun, which
kisses its fruits and grains to ripeness;
day and night, seed-time and harvest — all
pioclaim the Creator and his goodness
and wisdom and love ! The existence
and harmonious movement through
space of many other worlds than ours
i:i such exact order and regularity, pro-
claim his power and glory; and more
than all, the still small voice of the
Spirit of God, testifying to the secret
soul of man of the being of God and
man's accountability to him — all these
things united give ample proof of God's
existence and power and majesty. Yet
there stands a man," and he pointed his
In the Hall of Justice. 47
finger at Korihor, and addressed himself
to the audience, "who denies there is any
proof; turns from all this and impiously
demands a sign !"
The scoffer stood awed before the
awful form of the priest ; and well indeed
he might, for he had risen in delivering
the above; his face shone with intelli-
gence, his eyes reflected the light of
heaven, his voice trembled with the
power of God; and the form drawn up to
its fall height was magnificently grand.
"I — I do not say — there is — no God,"
faltered Korihor in subdued, husky tones,
and trembling from fear — "I do not
believe there is, — I will not believe" —
recovering some of his boldness — "ex-
cept ye show me a sign !"
"Then this shall be thy sign — I tell
thee, in the name of God, thou shalt be /,
dumb and never speak again !"
The voice was trumpet toned now, and
seemed to shake the building and the
whole audience had started to its feet.
There was a half stifled exclamation from
4^ Corianton.
the scoffer, and he wildly clutched the
air; his eyes seemed bursting from their
sockets and his face was purple with
his effort to speak. Those who had stood
with him drew back as if by instinct, and
he stood alone writhing under his curse.
Exhausted at last by violent contortions
of his whole frame, he became more
calm ; and in answer to the question by
the Chief Judge —
"Art thou now convinced of the ex-
istence of God?"
He wrote an answer, saying that he
was; that he knew there was a God, but
the devil had deceived him by appearing
to him as an angel of light, that he had
taught his words because they were
pleasing to the carnal mind, and his suc-
cess made him believe, finally, that they
were true. He pleaded piteously that
the High Priest would remove the curse ,
but Alma replied :
"If this curse should be taken from
thee, thou wouldst again lead away the
In the Hall of Justice. 49
hearts of this people; therefore it shall
be unto thee, even as the Lord will."
Korihor looked around him, but no one
gave him recognition as a friend ; those
who had accompanied him into the hall
stood terror stricken, and amazement
vvas depicted in every countenance. He
realized that he was deserted in this his
extremity, and with a gurgling cry he
fled from the hall and the city.
The vast audience which had breath-
lessly witnessed this remarkable scene
and the demonstration of the power of
God, began to break up, and quietly
leave the hall, each person too deeply im-
pressed with what he had witnessed to
speak to his neighbor. The Chief Judge
and the High Priest were among the last
to depart. As the latter was approaching
the door his robe was clutched, and
turning round he stood face to face with
his wayward son — Corianton.
I
i
CHAPTER FIVE.
THE NEW CONVERT.
For a moment father and son faced
each other, but neither spoke. The
proud head of Corianton was bowed, his
lips quivered with emotion. The father
held out his hand, and the young man
grasped it. "Father," he said, in hum-
bled tone, "I have sinned against God,
and against thee; I pray you pardon me,
and ask thy God to pardon me, too."
"Corianton, thy rebellion against God
is in truth a grievoiis sin. But youth is
thoughtless and wayward, impatient of
restraint, easily misled, and often, too,
by generous impulses. The high sound-
ing phrase, the reckless plea for unbrid-
led license, miscalled liberty, of which
men of Korihor's type well know the in-
fluence, the mocking jests at sober, right-
eous lives, the boldness which dares
mock at sacred things, and bid defiance
even to God, hath in it a false daring
which captures inconsiderate youth, and
The New Convert.
51
works its ruin. I do remember my own
youth, Corianton, and how in my mad
folly I threw away restraint, consorted
with the wicked, mocked the righteous,
and impiously blasphemed the name of
God, and afflicted my noble father's soul
as thou hast mine— but I forgive thee,"
hastily added the Priest, as a great sob
escaped his son, "as he did me; and so
far as my earnest prayer can pluck down
God's forgiveness on thy head, be as-
sured, my son, my most dear son, God
shall forgive thee,too." With these words
ho fondly embraced Corianton, and a few
moments later they left the Hall of Jus-
tice together.
At the house of the High Priest they
found Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Him-
ni, and also Helaman and Shiblon, the
two elder sons of Alma. The first four
persons named were the sons of Mosiah ,
the last king of the Nephites, at whose
death the reign of the judges began.
These men had been the companions of
Alma from his boyhood, and together in
their youthful days they had been reck-
52
Corianton.
lessly wicked and sought the destruction
of the Church, as already detailed in
chapter two. After their conversion
they had traveled to and fro through all
the land of the Nephites, seeking to undo
the mischief they had done; and then
performed glorious missions among the
Lamanites where the power of God had
been wondrously manifested to the con-
verting of many of that people to the
truth. Often separated in their labors,
cast into prisons, surrounded by dangers,
threatened by mobs, weary, foot-sore,
hungry — now received into palaces and
hailed almost as Gods, now outcasts,with-
out a place to lay their heads — they ex-
perienced all the changes, the successes,
and the vicissitudes of missionary life,
but through all of it they were faithful to
God, and held each other in fondest re-
membrance.
The present occasion of their meeting
together was to determine what steps
should be taken in relation to the Zo-
ramites, a people who had dissented from
the Nephites and had established them-
The New Convert.
53
selves at Antionum, south of the land
Gcrshon, and bordering on the lands
occupied by the Lamanites; and it was
feared they would become confederate
with the Lamanites and create trouble.
The meeting held on the subject the day
before had been interrupted by the Chief
Judge sending for Alma to consult over
the case of Korihor. Now they had
met to conclude the business thus inter-
rupted.
Alma was warmly greeted by his
brethren, who had witnessed the scene
in the HaXof Justice; and all expressed
their gratitude to God for the great
manifestation of his power, and the
vindication of his cause.
"The most happy fruit of this issue,"
said Alma, "is that it gives back to
us my son Corianton ; who, at first, stood
v/ith the unbeliever, but now has seen a
demonstration of God's power, to the
conversion of his soul." At this an-
nouncement the brethren gathered about
Corianton and warmly embraced him,
<.
54
Corianton.
thanking God for his deliverance from
darkness.
It was finally arranged that Alma ,
Ammon, Aaron, Omner together with
Shiblon and Corianton, should go on a
mission to the Zoramites; that Himni
should remain to preside over the church
at Zarahemla, assisted by Helaman.
As the council was breaking up, Alma
suggested that he would like to take with
him on this mission Amulek and Zeez-
lom, but they were in the city of Melek,
west of Zarahemla. Corianton volun-
teered to go after them, and Shiblon ex-
pressed a willingness to accompany him.
That afternoon they started.
En route they passed through several
villages, and on such occasions were
everywhere questioned in relation to the
curse which had fallen upon Korihor, of
which they had heard conflicting rumors.
The young men gave to those inquiring
correct information, though Corianton in
testifying to the existence of God, and to
the truth, was not always as humble or
merciful to those who were not yet con-
The New Convert.
55
verted as was conformable to the spirit of
the gospel, or consistent with the posi-
tion which he himself had so lately occu-
pied. It is ever thus with your new con-
vert; by his actions and by his words you
would be led to think, if you did not
know better, that he was the last sinner
God was waiting to bring into his fold
before he damned the rest. Shiblon ob-
served these faults in his brother, but
knowing his haughty spirit, which could
ill brook restraint, he resolved to re-
main silent, and let those older correct
him.
Finding Amulek and Zeezrom, they
delivered their message from the coun-
cil of the priesthood in Zarahemla, and
both these worthy men returned with
them to that city, and from thence the
party took its journey to Antionum, the
chief city of the Zoramites.
Of that journey it is necessary to say
but little. It occupied eight days, the
party going on foot, driving with them
but two asses, on which were packed the
tents, food and other necessary articles
S6
Corianton.
for the comfort of the party. For the
sons of Mosiah and Alma, who were all
experienced missionaries. and had
passed through many trying scenes to-
gether, as also, indeed, had Amulek
and Zeezroni, it was a glorious reunion;
and many and various were the advent-
ures and special manifestations of the
power of God related. To the younger
men, Shiblon and Corianton, it was a
feast of spiritual food — the conversation
of these servants of God.
CHAPTER SIX.
THE ZORAMITES.
The sun was slowly sinking in the
western sky, as the party of missionaries
presented themselves at the main en-
trance to the city .Antionum, the gateway
ci the north wall. They were permitted
to pass in unchallenged, and inquired out
a lodging house, where they all stayed
together. Uninformed as to the exact
nature of the heresy of the Zoramites,
they had resolved to avoid proclaiming
their mission, until they should become
acquainted with the nature of the errors
it was their hope to correct.
The day following their entrance into
the city was the holy day of the Zoram-
ites, when they repaired to the syna-
gogues, of which there were many, to
worship. The interior of their places of
worship was gorgeously decorated.
Near the center of each rose a stand, the
top of which extended half the height
from the floor to the ceiling. The stand
57
58
Corianton.
proper rested on a sort of frustum of a
cone. Up the sides were several flights
of steps, and at the top of the frustum
was standing room for a number of peo-
ple; but in the stand proper there was
room for but one. Each in his turn as-
cended the single flight of steps to the
top of this holy stand — Rameumptom
they called it — and stretching forth his
hands towards heaven, exclaimed in sol-
emn tones:
Holy. Holy, Holy God !
Thou art God, There is no God be-
side.
Spirit Bright, and Everlasting —
The same to-day and ever more.
Separate are we from men —
Elected us hast Thou and made us holy,
While all beside thou hast condemned;
Eor which, Most High, and Holy God
we give Thee thanks —
That we are not as other men.
Separated are we from false traditions of
the Christ —
That deep blasphemy of corrupted Ne-
phites.
The Zoramites.
59
Who know not Thee as Spirit-God:
But as a man expect to see Thee
Come on earth, and all mankind re-
deemed !
For deliverance from such traditions vile
Most High and Holy God — I give Thee
thanks I
Amen, amen, amen!
At the conclusion of every distinct
thought in the above prayer, the com-
pany of worshippers at the top of the
frustum would cry aloud — "Amen,
amen!" And at the conclusion of the
prayer an unseen choir accompanied by
instruments, chanted selected and slight-
ly altered passages of the above prayer
such as —
"Holy, holy God! Thou art God.
Thou are holy. Thou are spirit, and
ever shall be — Holy is thy name ! Amen !
amen !"
Such was their form of worship, such
their set prayers, as witnessed that day
by Alma and his fellow missionaries.
After witnessing this mixture of im-
6o
Corianton.
piety and hypocrisy, self-glorification,
and abasement of those not of them. Al-
ma thought it not necessary to wait
longer in commencing the work, and
hence, that night he laid hands upon the
heads of his associates, blessed them and
set them apart for the accomplishment of
the work in hand. The next morning
they separated for the better prosecution
of their enterprise. They took no thought
of themselves, what they should eat, or
where they should be lodged. They
preached in the synagogues, in private
houses, and even in the streets.
No one in the beginning of this work
was more zealous, or more successful
than Corianton. Indeed it was his suc-
cess that began to work a great mischief;
for it filled him with pride and boasting
in his own strength. By the force of his
brilliancy, and a kind of genius for con-
troversy, he discomfited the Zoramites,
and exposed the shallowness of their
principles to the great delight of the
multitude who, though they believed
not the message he was delivering,
The Zoramites.
6i
were immensely pleased with the youth-
ful orator.
There were fundamental truths of
the gospel, however, to which Corianton
himself was not converted ; the atone-
ment of Christ, the resurrection,
the justice of God in punishing the
wicked, being among them. He found,
as many since his day have found, that
seeing a single manifestation of the
power of God — a miracle — had not re-
moved all the difficulties in the way of a
sound faith in the gospel ; and in his own
mind he began to find ways of account-
ing for the destruction of Korihor's
speech — his own excitement, the mys-
terious magnetism of his father which
swayed men's minds, a power which he
flattered himself he had inherited, not-
withstanding his unbelief.
One day about sunset, while in this
frame of mind, as he was passing down
one of the main thoroughfares of Anti-
onum, he saw a poor, wretched object
begging of those who passed him on the
street. He was miserably clad and filthy.
62
Corianton.
his form emaciated and trembling with
weakness, but there was something in the
profile of the face, a resemblance to
a countenance which lived in Corianton's
recollection, that attracted his attention.
As he approached nearer he observed a
wildness about the man, occasioned by
desperate efforts at speech, resulting
only in harsh, disconnected and unin-
telligible mumbling. To his astonish-
ment, it was Korihor. The form was
wasted, the features shrunken almost
past recognition, and insanity glared from
his wild eyes. Corianton gazed in
pity upon him, and Korihor returned
that look with one of puzzled wonder.
Then as the mists and confusion of his
mind cleared up for the moment, he rec-
ognized his former, and what he ac-
counted his false friend, and with a wild
shriek fled out into the street, looking
back at Corianton as he ran with an air
expressive of horror. At that moment a
troop of horsemen was passing down the
street, and so sudden had been the poor
half maniac's flight from the presence of
The Zoramites.
63
i
Corianton, that he threw himself in front
of the horsemen, and before they could
check their speed or change their course,
he was knocked down and trampled up-
on.
A crowd quickly gathered around the
bruised and bleeding form. His case
was notorious in Antionum, and it was
generally believed that his dumbness was
brought upon him through sorcery;
hence, even while he was shunned by the
people, there were many who sympa-
thized with him, so far, at least, as exe-
crating those who had been the means,
as they thought, of bringing the
evil upon him. Corianton ran to
the man and raised him to a sit-
ting posture, but he never regained
consciousness; a few painful gasps, and
the body sank back into the arms of the
young man, limp and lifeless. One of
the guards of the city came up to the
crowd, and, recognizing the body as that
of the dumb, hnlf-crazed beggar, he took
charge of it, and finally interred it.
As Corianton walked away with the
64
Corianton.
mangled form of the once bold anti-
Christ vividly pictured in his mind, he
muttered half aloud — "This is one of the
judgments of God — cruel, infinitely
cruel ! He above all others could have
been generous and have pardoned him
before his justice," and he fairly hissed
the word, "had turned to cruelty !"
By this time he had reached his lodg-
ings, one of the finest palaces in all that
city, and strange enough, it was the home
of one of the chief Zoramites who had
been especially pleased, or at least
feigned to be especially pleased, with
Corianton, and had invited him to make
his house his home. At the entrance to
the walk leading up to the house, he was
met by a woman, who asked if he was
one of the Nephite prophets that had
come to preach the doctrines of the
Nephites to the Zoramites. Corianton
answered that he was of that party.
"And is your name Corianton?"
"Yes, that is my name."
"Then at last I have found you!"
CHAPTER SEVEN.
JOAN.
Was the woman who accosted Cori-
anton at the gate of his lodging, young,
beautiful? He could not tell; the twi-
light had deepened too much into the
shadow of night, to permit him to see
clearly; but there was a fascination in
the full, sweet tones of her voice, and he
was thrilled by the touch of her soft
hand, as she laid it gently on his arm,
as if to detain him while asking the
questions with which the last chapter
closed.
"You are going to Seantum's?"
"Yes, that is where I lodge."
"I will go with you."
He hesitated, and was not a little
astonished at her perfect self-possession,
which, to his thinking, bordered on
boldness. It must be remembered that
among the Nephites, one of the chief
characteristics of their women, so far as
one is able to judge from their annals,
65
66
Corianton.
was modesty — an excellent thing in
woman, when not feigned or prudish.
The freedom, therefore, with which this
woman had accosted him, a perfect
stranger, and now proposed to go with
him, uninvited, to the place where he
lodged, was a boldness to which Cori-
anton was unaccustomed. She observed
that he hesitated, and broke out into a
light, silvery laugh.
"Ah, I forgot," she said, in an apolo-
gizing tone, yet with a touch of mockery
in it, "thou art one of the prophets,
perhaps a solemn one, and unacquainted
with our people, and my manners are
too bold. But Seantum, with whom you
lodge, is a near kinsman — my father's
brother; now, will you throw open the
gate, and allow me to go in with you?"
He complied with her request mechan-
ically, and in silence, for he knew not
what to say. As they approached the
house he again felt that soft hand laid
gently on his arm, and the same sweet
voice said, almost pleadingly: "Let us
not go into the house yet, the evening
Joan. 67
is beautiful ; see, the moon is just peep-
ing over the tree tops, and floods the
earth with her soft light — let us walk in
the garden." She had retained her hold
upon his arm, and obeying her will
rather than his own, he turned down a
path leading away from the house.
The house of Seantum was situated at
the southern outskirts of the city, in the
midst of a spacious and splendid garden.
There were extensive lawns, studded
with tropical trees, several species of
palms and plantain; the cocoa . trees
standing in groups, their great tufts of
gigantic leaves r)itSi\mg in the moonlight
at the height of sixty and seventy feet;
banana and papaw trees growing side by
side in rows along the walks, and back of
them in irregular order stood pome-
granates, while here and there were
clumps of lindens, interspersed with sum-
ach and cashew, and a great variety of
evergreen shrubbery. Here side by side,
and in fine contrast, were rhododendrons,
with their rose-colored flowers, and the
68
Corianton.
i' ':
coffee shrub with its clusters of delicate
white blossoms. Other flowers and flow-
ering trees there were in great profusion
— the fragrant eglantine, the elegant, airy
though thorny acacia, and now and then
an aloe plant, and, ah, rare sight ! several
of them were in full bloom ; these, with
splendid magnolias, mingled their odors ;
and burdened the air with ambrosial
fragrance, which, with the chirrup and
hum of insect life, the gentle whisper-
ing wind, stealing softly through shrub-
bery and tree, and all kissed to beauty
by the glorious moonlight, made up a
night such as lovers love, and love's
young dream expands.
"You are not at all curious," said
Corianton's new-found companion. "You
have not yet asked my name, nor
why I am here, nor what it is I want
with you — you have not spoken half a
dozen words since we met — you smile,
do you mean by that I have not given
you a chance to say more?"
"Such were my thoughts, lady, but I
Joan. 69
would know your name, and am most
curious to know what you would with
me.
By this they had reached a lakelet at
the lower end of the garden, from whose
moist beach grew several gigantic mango
and sycamore trees. They had passed
in the shadow of one of the lat-
ter whose inclining trunk extended
far out over the water-lily bedecked
lake. Half seating herself on the
inclined tree, she raised her hand
to clutch a grape vine that drooped
from a branch above, and as she
did so the ample folds of her sleeve
slipped back and left uncovered a beau-
tiful white arm. And now Corianton
noticed for the first time that the form
was supple and finely proportioned.
Her head, too. had been covered with a
kind of mantilla which had also partly
shrouded her face; this fell back now,
revealing a face of uncommon loveliness,
and a profusion of brown hair.
"You must know then, sir prophet,"
she said with a light air, "that I am Joan,
70
Corianton.
from Siron; my father is a Nephite by
birth, but when young met with my
mother, taken captive during a war with
your people. He fell in love with the
captive, married her and she induced
him to go with her to her people. They
settled in Siron where they lived hap-
pily until my mother died. My father
still lives, and has never been entirely
rid of the traditions of the Nephites, and
hearing that a party of Nephite prophets
were preaching in Antionum, it was his
wish that I should come to our kinsman
Seantum, find you, and ask that you
would also preach in Siron."
•'But why did you come to me? I do
not lead our party, I am youngest in it."
"Ah, sir prophet, you are more famous
than you know. It was Corianton that
we first heard of in Siron ; it is he whose
eloquence most baffles the Zoramites,
and threatens the disruption of their
church — believe me, sir, I was charged
by my father to bid you come."
Oh, flattery ! what man is proof against
thy sweet, seducing charms! And how
Joan. 71
thoee charms are heightened, when
flattery falls from beauty's lips ! The
vanity of Corianton was well pleased
with the words of the woman ; pride
swelled his bosom, and he felt exalted
above his brethren.
"For two days I have sought you"
(Corianton had been absent two days
from his lodgings), "now I have found
you and delivered my message, will you
go to Siron ?"
"I cannot say, lady, I must first confer
with my brethren, and if by them it is
thought best, I—"
"What ! are you not free to come and
go where and when you like. Are you in
bondage ?"
"No, lady, not in bondage, yet it is
mete I counsel with my associates, and
if—"
"And 'if they give you leave, why then
you'll go ! Ah me, that is such liberty as
a maiden has under her father's control.
I've often wished myself a man, that I
might have a more extended liberty, but
if men cannot act independent of con-
hi
72
Corianton.
trol, it pleases me that I am a woman. I
fear, Sir prophet, that I shall never be a
convert to your faith."
"Then I would esteem my success in
Siron of little value though I gained the
whole people, if T failed to number one
so fair among those who followed me."
"Come, sir, let us now go in; you begin
to find your tongue, and even a prophet,
I see, can flatter."
So saying she drew her mantle over
her head, and they walked in silence to-
wards the house.
Corianton, as he walked away, did not
observe shadowy forms glide from under
adjacent trees, hold a brief consultation
and depart from the spot which he him-
self had ju.st quitted.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
THE REVEL.
As Corianton and Joan approached the
house, lively strains of music floated out
upon the evening air, and lights gleamed
trom all the windows; now sounds of
revelry could be heard — the merry laugh,
and flying feet. In the hall they were met
by Seantum. "Returned home at last,
Corianton,. eh ?" he said with blustering
familiarity, "what, and with Joan, too !"
"Yes, kinsman ; I found our prophet as
he was entering the grounds, and have
detained him long enough to deliver my
message."
"Quite right, too, quite right ; if you
have anything to do, do it, and do it at
once, say I. But come, sir, some young
people have gathered here, to make mer-
ry the night, recreation will do you good,
sir; youth was made for enjoyment, sir,
and youth cheats itself if it make not
good use of its time."
73
74
Corianton.
"Oh, kinsman, you forget !" said Joan.
"This man, though he hath not a gray
beard, or a stooped back — and though he
hath no staff, yet is he a holy man ! and
will account the youthful revels you
commend, as sinful. Alas," said she,
with charming mock solemnity, — "alas,
that youth should so soon wed itself to
the vocation of the aged ! Besides, I
warrant me, he will tell thee he must
first counsel with his fellow-prophets,
before he can stir in what you would
have him enjoy. So pray forbear, tempt
not the holy prophet !" And with this
tantalizing witchery she left him.
Seantum laughed heartily at the evi-
dent discomfiture of Corianton. "By
my life, sir, she hath hit you as hard
with her sarcasm of your solemnities, as
your ridicule hits the weakness of our
Zoramite faith ; but come, sir, come, you
must rally, you must let her see that you
have spirit — which I know you have —
go in, sir," lowering his voice, "it shall
not harm your reputation; go in, you
The Revel. 75
shall find beauty, gaiety, pleasure and
secrecy beneath my roof — go in, sir;
youth was made for pleasure!"
His pride, wounded by the light sar-
casm of Joan, and, influenced, it must
also be confesed, by the cajolery of
Seantum, Corianton permitted himself
to be led down the hall into a spacious
saloon, brilliantly lighted by cressets,
and at one end of which, on a platform ,
was arranged a banqueting table, ladened
profusely with all the delicacies of the
tropics — a rich variety of meats, fruits
and wines, of which all were free to par-
take at pleasure. The ceiling and wall
of the saloon were frescoed with volup-
tuous figures or grim monsters, half
animal, half human — with here and there
indications that some knowledge of the
old mythologies was still retained; the
windows were draped with curtains of
rich stuffs, variously colored ; their ample
folds gently stirred by the soft bree;^e
which stole into the room, filling it with
the rich perfumes of the garden. The
floor was variegated Mosaic work,smooth
76
Corianton.
as polished ivory, covered at the sides
and ends by soft carpeting.
As Corianton and Seantum entered
the saloon, a pretty dark-eyed girl v^as
executing a sort of fandango to the evi-
dent delight of a number of young men
sitting or lounging promiscuously about
the room At the conclusion of the
dance the girl was greeted warmly with
a round of applause. Then there was
quiet, broken occasionally by light rip-
ples of laughter, the hum of confused
conversation, or occasional commands
to the slaves to serve fruits or wines.
There were whispered nothings, tender
caresses, and loose jests. Groups of
women of all degrees of beauty were
reclining on divans or cushions, half
concealed by the rich foliage of gigantic
plants in great vases; and sometimes in
recesses nearly shut out from the main
body of the saloon by closely drawn
curtains.
The entrance of Seantum and Corian-
ton had attracted no attention; but as
the tall, graceful Nephite passed the
The Revel.
77
various groups, the girls broke out in
exclamations of admiration — "how
handsome!" "how young!" "what fine
eyes! — and what a form!" "who is he?"
"a stranger — a Nephite." All this agi-
tated Corianton, and rendered him un-
easy. Arriving at the head of the saloon,
he was introduced to a group of young
men about his own age.
"This is my Nephite prophet of whom
you have heard me speak," said
Seantum, "receive him as my honored
guest and friend." At this Corianton
was warmly saluted, and called upon to
pledge the acquaintance in wine. There
was no retreating now, nor could there
be any refusal.
"Though our new friend is a Nephite,"
said Seantum, after the pledge of friend-
ship had been drunk, "and reared under
traditions which we have forsaken,
religious differences, arising solely from
training in childhood, should make no
difference in social life." "No, no,"
broke in several voices. "Let us bury
thoughts of all such differences in an-
78
Corianton.
other bowl of wine," said a youth of La-
manitish appearance, and already under
the influence of the beverage he now
called for.
At that moment in the lower part of
the saloon some one was greeted by
hearty applause; looking in that direc-
tion Joan was seen advancing clad in
loose, fleecy garments; she held in her
hand a long strip of crimson gauze, and
as she reached the middle of the saloon
she shook out its folds and began a
dance of exquisite grace.
What mischief hath not been worked
by the witching grace exhibited by beau-
tiful women in the dance ! The elegance
and harmony of motion, the poetry of
movement, gives a lustre to beauty and
influences the senses through the imag-
ination. 'Twas the dancing of the fair
daughter of Tared which drove Akish of
old to pledge himslf to murder King
Omer among the Jaredites; and men
hereafter shall promise with an oath
anything to the half of a kingdom, to
some fair one for dancing before them.
(
The Revel. 70
Never had Corianton seen such a com-
bination of motion and beauty as that
now before him. The slight willowy
form of Joan swaying with easy grace,
the poise of the head, the movement of
the arms, all in perfect harmony with
the rest of her actions. Freqently the
company applauded her, but now evi-
dently the dance is drawing to a close,
concluding with rapid whirling round
the entire saloon. As she passed near
Corianton she suddenly threw her gauze
scarf over his head, as a challenge for
him to join her in the finale; and he,
forgetful of all but her loveliness and
bewitching grace, caught her hand, hold-
ing the tips of her fingers, and accom-
panied her in that whirling circuit. He
had evidently acquitted himself well, for
he shared in the applause which greeted
her, and the compliments that followed.
"Ah, my friend, I scarcely thought a
prophet could do so well," she whispered,
in her taunting manner; but seeing that
he turned pale at her remark, and that a
pained expression also passed over his
8o
Corianton.
features, she quickly added "you did
■well, I am proud of you, and you must
be my companion for the night;"' and
her hand once more stole within his arm.
The revels were continued through
the night, wine flowed as freely as water,
and long before the gray dawn began to
break in the east, many had sunk down
in a helpless, drunken sleep. Corianton
also was intoxicated, but not so much
with wine as with the beauty and chic of
Joan. When she left him, as she did soon
after midnight, he began to realize the
situation into which his half thoughtless
indiscretion had plunged him, and he
knew not how he would well answer his
brethren for his conduct. Though he
had drunk but little wine, not being
accustomed to it his brain was on fire ,
and a mad spirit of recklessness seized
him. Passing a group of young fellows
in an advanced stage of intoxication in
one of the recesses of the saloon, he was
hailed by them, and congratulated upon
his conquest of the fairest lady in all
their land. He joined them in their
The Revel.
8i
praises of her beauty and in their revel.
What he did, what was done he knew
not, his brain was confused — he had an
indistinct recollection of boisterous, fren-
zied jollity, then high words, a quarrel,
but not the reason of it, and then all
was darkness, oblivion.
CHAPTER NINE.
ISABEL.
As the grey light of morning strug-
gled through the heavy curtained win-
dows of the saloon, Corianton awoke.
For some time he lay half bewildered,
unable to call to mind what had hap-
pened, or where he was, conscious only
of the heavy, dull pain in his head. At
last, however, the revels of the past night
were conjured up by his recollection ; but
awakening consciousness brought with it
a sickening sense of shame. He was
lying on a cushioned divan in one of the
many recesses opening into the saloon,
and near him in a heavy stupor, on the
floor, was a young Lamanite girl. He
arose and staggered from the recess to
seek the open air. In the saloon the
lights in the cressets were burning low,
but giving out sufficient of their pale,
yellow light to reveal the general disor-
der that prevailed. Fruits, drinking
bowls, withered flowers and ottomans lay
82
Isabel.
83
scattered about promiscuously. The ban-
quet table itself with its burden of fruits
and wines and silver furniture, had been
overturned, doubtless in the melee which
followed the quarrel, of which Corianton
had but an indistinct recollection. Near
the door leading into the hall were two
slaves sleeping in each other's arms —
worn out by the services of the past
night.
Corianton wended his way through all
this debris and at last reached the
garden ; but neither the cool morning
air, the song of birds nor the perfume of
flowers brought relief to his aching heart
or troubled mind.
He followed the same path down
which Joan had led him the night before
to the margin of the lake, and stood
under the same trees where her loveli-
ness first attracted his attention. Again
he saw her half reclining against the tree,
once more heard her sweet voice derid-
ing his faith and mocking at the bondage
it brought with it— "What, are you not
free ? Are you in bondage ? she had said ;
84
Corianton.
and the humiliation he had experienced
by the taunting question still hurt his
pride. He sought a bower near at hand,
and stretching himself upon a seat be-
neath it, was soon lost in a fitful slumber.
He was suddenly awakened by some
one in a subdued but hurried tone calling
his name. Shaking off his sleep at last.
he was surprised and not a little troubled
at seeing his brother Shiblon standing
over him.
"Wake, brother, wake and leave this
horrible place !" The speaker was pale
and evidently much excited. "Come
brother, in the name of God shake off
this slumber, and come with me before
it is too late!"
"Why Shiblon, what's amiss ?"
"Alas, I fear thou art amiss; and your
bad deeds are like to bring trouble to us
all. Your association with harlots in
this place is the talk of the whole city,
and everywhere we are threatened with
violence — we can no longer preach to
the people since they judge us all by
your conduct, and condemn us all as
Isabel.
8s
hypocrites and bid us be gone. The
other brethren have started to leave the
citv, but I came in search of you; now
brother, come — in God's name come!
Come, let us leave together; by a peni-
tent life you may yet cancel this great sin
— you are young — not yet hardened in
vice; I pray you, come!"
Corianton stood before his brother
bewildered ; to him his speech was inco-
herent—wild. "Shiblon," said he, "I
have not associated with harlots, and
though the revels of last night were
indiscreet, I am free from such sin as you
impute to me."
"God grant that you are, and far be it
from me to believe that you add the sin
of falsehood to a grosser sin ; but brother,
the house of Seantum where you have
lodged, is the worst den of infamy in all
Antionum, and only last night you were
seen in loving converse on the shores of
this very lake with the harlot Isabel."
"Isabel !" echoed Corianton, "I know
and have seen no such woman. I walked
through the grounds here last evening
86
Corianton.
with Joan, niece of Seantum, and though
of sprightly disposition yet modest, and
I believe as virtuous as she is fair."
"Oh, Corianton, in this you are coz-
ened. That woman is not Joan, nor is
she Seantum's niece; but a wicked harlot
from Siron whose body to the chief men
of this city has been as common as their
wills have desired it ; you have fallen into
the trap laid by the Zoramites to destroy
the mission in this city. Seantum is one
of the leaders of the Zoramites, he it
was who sent for this cunning harlot to
work your ruin, and in that hoped for the
destruction of our mission; and he has
succeeded, alas! too well. They have
deceived you; and as the devil appears
as an angel of light, so this woman
assumes a virtue that she possesses not,
and by that seeming grace wins you to
}0ur destruction. But break this chain,
and let us flee."
Before Corianton could reply there
was heard a hurrying of feet and they
were surrounded by a body of men.
"Take that man," said Seantum, point-
Isabel.
87
ing to Shiblon, "and bind him." The "
young man saw at a glance that neither
flight nor resistance would avail any-
thing, and he submitted without an
effort at either.
"Corianton," said Seantum, "I over-
heard the ungracious words of your
brother against my house and my kins-
woman, and I insist upon a vindication
of both before the magistrates of this
city; hence I have taken him, but I mean
him no further mischief; and does not
justice to my great reputation and to my
household dictate the taking of this
course?"
"Though the sentence fall upon my
brother, I must say your cause is just ; let
him answer it before your judges, and let
this experience teach him discretion."
"Corianton," said Shiblon, "I com-
plain not at my captivity, incurred by
an anxiety for your good; nor shall I
shrink before the judges however un-
just or merciless they may be. But take
my advice, if you are still free from the
sin that reputation sticks on you, lose
88
Corianton.
no time in leaving this man's accursed
house; trust not his friendship, for it is
poison ; beheve not in the pretensions of
the harlot Isabel, Joan she is not, she is
one whose feet go down to death, whose
steps take hold on hell !"
"Away with him, and stop his slander-
ous mouth !" cried Corianton, white with
rage. One of those who held him, struck
Sbiblon a blow in the face.
"Noble Seantum," continued Corian-
ton, "see that yourself and your fair niece
be cleared of those slanders, and tell her
that there is one Nephite at least who
can rise above the prejudices of a nar-
row faith and not impute lewdness to
mirthfulness, nor wantonness to innocent
gaiety."
"Be assured, sir," replied the one
addressed, "I shall not fail to report you
truly to the fair Joan ; and you shall not
suffer in her estimation by reason of
your brother's slander."
"Brother, you are now blinded by
your infatuation and anger," said Sbib-
lon, whose spirit neither blows nor pros
Isabel.
89
pective harsher treatment could daunt,
"but the time will come, when the scales
will fall, and you will see the black
'vickedness of those who have entrapped
your unwary feet; farewell, and what-
ever fate overtakes me, remember I suf-
fer it out of love of you."
He was then dragged away in the di-
rection of the house, followed by Sean-
tum.
CHAPTER TEN.
TAUNTS OF THE CROWD.
Left alone to battle with the contend-
ing emotions that struggled in his breast,
and his anger having subsided, Corian-
ton began to be plagued with rising ap-
prehensions. What if Shiblon were right?
What if he had been duped by the crafty
Zoramites? Many things that passed un-
der his observation in the banqueting
saloon the night before now arose to give
support to his increasing fears. "Yet,
I'll not believe it, until proven true, then
it she be indeed a harlot, and hath be-
trayed me into this compromising posi-
tion, may God pity her, for she hath need
of pity !"
With these words he left the garden
and started in the direction of the mar-
ket place of the city.
He observed as he walked along that
many people looked curiously at him, and
turned to follow him with their gaze.
As he turned into one of the principal
90
Taunts of the Crowd.
91
streets he heard a tumult, and saw an
excited crowd of people rapidly gathering
about two men who were evidently
making efforts to extricate themselves
from the throng. They were coming in
his direction, and stepping aside into a
narrow alleyway, he thought to let the
throng pass without being observed.
As the crowd drew near, to his astonish-
ment, he saw the two men were his
father and Ammon. The mob at their
heels, however, was evidently, as yet,
good natured, and were merely mocking
them. Some who occasionally ran in
front of them would shout at the specta-
tors gathered at the sides of the streets —
"Behold the Nephite prophet, who
comes to teach us 'holiness' while his son
makes merry the night with harlots!"
"Teach your own son virtue before
you leave your cities to convert the
Zoramites," cried another.
"The son's no worse than the father
I'll warrant," shouted a third.
"Nor so bad either," broke in several.
"Say old greybeard," said a voice from
92
Corianton.
the crowd, "which of you holy men is
contracted to Isabel to-night?" and the
insinuation was followed by shouts of
laughter.
So the crowd passed on, yelling, curs-
ing, mocking, deriding, pushing; the
spirit of violence constantly increasing.
The two prophets answered nothing, but
bore all meekly; the only sign of emotion
being the tears that silently flowed down
the furrowed cheeks of Alma at the
taunts thrown at him respecting his son ;
indeed he seemed weighed down with
grief, and would have been trampled un-
der foot but for the support of his strong
companion, who bore him up, and kept
back those who would have used violence
had they dared.
The crowd passed and their shouts
rose faintly above the busy hum of life
in the city, and then at last died away
altogether.
Corianton had remained in the alley-
way from which he had seen and heard
what is described above; there he stood
trembling from head to foot in an agony
Taunts of the Crowd. 93
of shame and terror. At last he walked
away, and rather from instinct than
design he retraced his footsteps in the
direction of Seantum's.
i
CHAPTER ELEVEN.
FACE TO FACE.
As he walked along Corianton in-
creased his speed; passion rocked his
frame, and a deep design for revenge
filled his heart. He passed down the
path with rapid strides and entered the
hall of Seantum's dwelling. Here he
met a maid who had attended on Joan —
Isabel, — and in whose company he had
left her the night before.
"Where is your mistress, maid?" he
demanded in no gentle tones.
"She is yet in her room, sir prophet,"
said the maid, trembling with fear.
"And where is that room ?"
"The first door to the left opens to a
passage leading to it ; shall I say to my
mistress you would see her?"
"No," he replied in tones husky with
anger. "I will see her unannounced.
Small need to stand on ceremony with
such as she."
And with a few rapid strides he
94
Face to Face.
95
reached the door indicated, and entered
the passage leading to the splendid
rooms set apart for the use of Isabel.
He threw aside the heavy curtain
drawn across the passage and stood
in the presence of the woman bent on
his destruction. She was seated on a
low ottoman with a silver mirror in her
hand and a slave was just putting the
finishing touches to her toilet. She
hastily arose as Corianton entered, and
intense anger flashed in her dark eyes.
"Methinks this entrance is somewhat
rude, bold Nephite. At least I should
have thought a 'prophet' would have had
respect for a maiden's privacy."
"Aye, no doubt he would. All men
would respect a maiden's privacy; the
most licentious wretch would tremble
did he invade its hallowed precinct. But
who respects the privacy of a common-
er? Who pauses on the threshold of a
strumpet ?"
"Commoner? Strumpet?" echoed Isa-
bel, choking with rage, "what mean
you?"
96
Corianton.
"Mean? mean?" he cried, "I mean
that the mask behind which you
would hide as Joan is snatched away.
I mean that you are a base harlot; that
that fair face is besmirked with loath-
some filth, that the sweet tones of your
voice, the arch smile, that angel form,
are but the blandishments of hell to
decoy men to ruin. I mean that you with
your paramours conspired to work my
undoing; and I, fool-like, must walk in
midday light into your traps."
He had approached her at this climax
of his passion and seized her by the
throat ! With a shriek she sank upon her
knees before him in terror. Finding her
helpless in his grasp, he recovered his
self-control sufficiently to loose his hold.
"No. no, I will not kill you — I meant
not to harm you — pardon me. O, my
God ! why, oh why, is this woman so
foul and yet so fair that heated rage is
cooled, madness subdued to gentleness,
and man's purposed revenge weeps
itself to softness in woman's tears ?''
Coverincr his face with his hands he sank
Face to Face.
97
into a settee overpowered by the emo-
tions which shook his frame.
By this time Isabel had recovered from
the terror into which Corianton's sud-
den rage had thrown her; and deeply
read in man's moods and passions, she
saw what an influence she held over the
one now before her. Stealing softly to
his side, and placing her hand on his
shoulder she gently said:
"Corianton, have you done well in thus
proceeding ? What have I done to merit
such harsh treatment — such bitter words
— how deserved it?"
"What have you done?" he cried —
"you came to me with a lie on your lips ,
deceit in your heart, and under the
guise of innocence, purity and goodness
sought to encompass my ruin ! — Well
madame, your plans have carried — I am
undone — ruined ! I can never return to
my people, to them I am infamous — an
outcast !" And again his form was con-
vulsed in an agony of grief.
"But may there not be some exten-
uating circumstances to free me from
9
98 Corianton.
the harsh judgment you passed upon
me? Trained from my childhood t3
hate your people, and taught that ali
means were proper that would lead to
their destruction, the helpless instrument
of unscrupulous men bent on defeating
your mission to the Zoramites — is it any
wonder that I undertook the part as-
signed me in the scheme? But Corian-
ton," and she sank on her knees at his
feet, "the moment I saw you — so noble
in bearing — so young — my heart relent-
ed ; I shrank from the performance of
the wicked plot — but what was I to do?
Had I told you the truth — that I was
Isabel — the infamy of that name would
have steeled your heart against me — you
would have driven me from you as an
unclean thing; and your presence — the
nobility which looked from your eyes,
inspired me with love such as I have
never known before — I experienced a
longing for something better than I had
known — a desire for purity, goodness,
virtue, that I might be worthy of you;
p.r^d even wicked and unclean as I am,
Face to Face.
99
hope whispered high promises to my wo-
man's heart — 'love will forgive and for-
get the past; it lives only in the present
and for the future,' it said; but alas! it
was a vain hope — I awake and find it
dust! Oh, why is there so much differ-
ence between man and woman ! No
matter what the past of a man may hav-
been, he hath but to repent, and all is
forgiven — and, forgotten. But when a
woman falls, 'tis never more to rise or
be forgiven."
These indirect appeals to him touched
the gentler nature of Corianton, and
bending over her as he took her hand,
he said: "Nay, do not weep; if I have
fallen I alone am to blame, I should
have had better discretion. I am ro
coward to lay the blame upon another.
I alone am to blame and I will alone
bear the burden of God's displeasure."
"Corianton," cried Isabel as a sudden
idea seized her, "if you are an outcast;
come to me, go with me to Siron; we
are both young, we may live for each
other, and life may yield us much of
lOO
Corianton.
happiness — I will be true to you, work
for you, nay, my proud spirit is con-
quered by my love, I will even be you.
slave; let us unite our shattered fortune?:
all may yet be well."
Oh youth, how elastic is thy texture!
Oppressed with the heaviest grief, bowed
down into the dust by ruin, thy buoyancy
will up-raise the soul — hope dwells per-
ennially in thy breast ! The proposition
of Isabel revived the sinking spirits of
Corianton, and under the influence of
her hopeful words his life yet seemed to
promise something worth living for.
"If you have become an outcast from
your people," she continued, "and that
through me, I will become an outcast
from those who knew me here, I will
forsake my friends for you; and then,
hand in hand, we will seek our new and
better fortune. But men are change-
ful in their love," she added, "and when
time or care steals beauty from oi-r
checks, your eyes will wander — swear to
be true to me, Corianton."
Her arms stole gently about his neck
I
Face to Face. loi
and she looked pleadingly into his eyes.
All his love for this woman now seemed
to go out to her, and warmly returning
her tender embrace he said :
"Do not fear the vanishing of my love,
Isabel, for I do love thee with my whole
heart, better than my country, my people
or my God — the last I am estranged
from, and henceforth thou shalt be my
idol," and he lovingly kissed her lips.
That night they left for Siron, and
reached their destination.
The following day when it becime
known that Corianton had gone to Siron
with Isabel, the excitement in Antionum
greatly increased. Shiblon the day be-
fore had been released from his bondage
and was stoned by the people in the
streets, led on by some of the servants
of Seantum. He escaped them, however,
and joined his father and brethren, and
told them of the blind infatuation of
Corianton.
It was decided that it would be useless
to attempt to preach longer to the peo-
ple of Antionum, and that evening the
i
102
Corianton.
i
brethren of the mission departed for the
land of Jershon, their spirits bowed down
with grief at the hardness of th^ hearts of
the Zoramites ; but sorrowing most of all
for the wickedness of Corianton and the
disgrace he had brought upon the work.
Zoram and his associates, chief among
whom was Seantum, were not satisfied
with the departure of the Nephite
prophets; but formed the resolution of
driving from their midst those who had
believed in their words. Hence they
sent among the people secretly to find
out those who believed in the words
which Alma and his companions had
taught ; and learned the sentiments of
those who disbelieved their teachings.
The reports justified them in concluding
they could drive the former out of their
land with impunity. The effort was suc-
cessful ; and the outcasts fled to Jershon
where the people of Ammon received
them with gladness, and provided for
their immediate wants.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
THE LOVE OF A WANTON.
The home of Isabel, in Siron, war
nearly as magnificent as that of Sean-
tum in Antionum. All that wealth could
do to satisfy the caprice and extrava-
gant tastes of woman, had evidently been
lavished upon Isabel by her lovers. For
two days after the arrival from Antionum
she had been all that could be desired by
Corianton — loving, gentle, and at times
sprightly. But the morning of the third
day when he suggested leaving her es-
tablishment, whose luxury constantly re-
minded him of her former life and
shame, she manifested some petulance,
and replied —
"You knew who and what I was before
you came here, I take it unkindly that
you upbraid me for the past."
The fact was that during the night Zo-
ram had arrived from Antionum and was
filled with jealous rage. He feared the
103
i
I04
Corianton.
%
young and handsome Nephite had won
the fancy of his mistress, and demanded
that he should be gotten rid of.
About midday Corianton entered the
apartments of Isabel and urged again
that she would consent to leave Siron
and go to a land where she was not
known and there begin their new life.
"There is the door," she said coolly,
"if you like not to stay, you may go."
"Nay, Isabel, but you promised that
you would forsake all this for me !"
"And are you so simple as to believe
a woman's words? I was blinded by my
infatuation and half repentance, but the
dream is past, I am myself again, and
see we are not suited to each other; you
had better return to your people, sir
prophet, fall down at their feet, and seek
their forgiveness."
He stood amazed — twice deceived and
by this woman — twice damned in shame
for a thing scarce worth his pity !
"And is this the return for my great
love for you?" he asked.
"That for your love," and she threw a
t
i
The Love of a Wanton. 105
goblet of wine in his face. "I despise
both you and your love."
Several of the servants and Zoram en-
tering the apartment at that moment, she
threw herself into the arms of the latter,
saying as she kissed him, "this is my love
— my prince — my king of men ! Now
go !" she cried, pointing to the door.
"Not I," replied Corianton; "I will not
budge until I have laid him dead at my
feet who set on foot the plan that
brought my shame !" And he sprang at
Zoram with the fury of an enraged
tiger. Before he could reach him, how-
ever, he was overpowered by the servants
and bound securely. Zoram had drawn
his dagger, and would have killed the
Nephite, but Isabel clung to him.
"No, no, you shall not slay him, he is
my prey, and 'tis for me to say what
shall be his fate. Nephite," she said,
"our friend Korihor went into your chiei
city where, through sorcery, he was
smitten dumb and fled from your land.
He returned to us half crazed, and
miserably perished. That, your people
io6
Corianton.
said, was a judgment of God, — a mani-
festation of his almighty power. Now
live, return to your people to be the scorn
and shame of the times, and let them
know that your fall is a manifestation of
Isabel's power — let it be Corianton for
Korihor — Isabel against your God !"
♦ * *
"See that a number of servants go
with him as guards and take him to the
borders of the land Jershon," said Zor-
am. "Come, move, slaves, away with
him, and be not over-tender of him in
your journey!"
Two men were soon mounted, and
Corianton, his hands bound behind bin.,
was compelled to run between them, each
of his guards holding him by a thong
fastened about his body. All that day
and night, and part of the next day they
continued their journey, with occasional
rests for themselves and their horses.
Reaching the borders of the land of
Jershon before noon of the second day,
they cruelly beat their prisoner and left
him, directing their course for Siron.
[
^
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
A BROTHER'S LOVK.
Left more dead than alive by his hard
journey and merciless beating, Corianton
lay in a stupor for some time. Regaining
consciousness he wandered, he knew not
whither, but at last came to one of the
chief towns of the people of Ammon ;
where a large number of the outcast
Zoramites had been given a resting
place. In passing through the streets
he was recognized by some of them, and
the news of his return soon spread
throughout the city.
The people came running together to
see him. Some looked on him with
pity, others looked upon him as the
author of all their distress and began
clamoring for vengeance. The latter
class was by far the more numerous, and
the excitement was growing uncontrol-
able. "Stone him, stone him!" was the
cry. Corianton, hard pressed, threw
107
io8
Corianton.
i
back his tattered robe, and addressing
tiie crowd said —
"Yes, good people, I am the cause of
the affliction that has befallen you — let
my life pay the penalty of my follies — I
refuse not to die — to die would be relief."
Those who heard these words, and
saw the majesty of the speaker, fallen
though he was, were awed into silence;
but those on the outskirts of the ever-
increasing crowd still clamored for his
life, and even began to cast stones at
him. These volleys soon caused those
near him to draw back, and he stood
alone. Shrouding his face in his mantle
he sank to the ground prepared to meet
the worst.
At that moment a clear, strong voice
rose above the tumult of the mob: "In
the name of God, hold ! Stay your
hands, men! Let him be accursed that
casts another stone !"
Shiblon, all breathless, pushed his
way through that angry crowd to where
his brother lay, half stunned and bleed-
•^
A Brother's Love. 109
ing. He threw aside the mantle and
bent over the poor, bruised form. "Alas !
my brother, cast down and well nigh
destroyed !" and the tears flowed down
his cheeks and dropped upon the half un-
conscious face of Corianton. Then the
murmurs of the crowd, awed but for the;
moment by Shiblon's appearance, rose
into cries for vengeance. Quickly rising
to his feet, Shiblon waved his hand for
silence and thus addressed them :
"You people from Antionum, listen
to me. My father and the sons of Mo-
siah, together with this my brother and
myself, came into your midst to teach
you the truth. Out of love for you my
father, though bowed with age and un-
remitting toil in the behalf of others, left
the pleasures and comforts of his home,
risked his life, and endured the scoffs
of the proud Zoramites, that you might
live, and live in the truth, and be free,
and for this you would reward him by
slaying his dearest son, who fell by the
practice of a cunning harlot. I grant you
no
Corianton.
;
the sin was great; such as he are great,
even in their sins ; and they are Hkewise
great in their sufferings.
"If his crime is worthy of death, has
he not already suffered more than death?
The burden of his great sin he must
carry through Hfe — and could his worst
enemy be gratified by casting one more
stone at this poor, bleeding body, or be
pleased by adding one more pang to his
tortured mind? Oh, men! has pity,
mercy, gratitude left your breasts; and
does your mad frenzy make you brutish
beasts? My brother's sin is more against
himself and God than you, and it is for
you to leave him to the justice and mercy
of his God who hath said, 'Vengeance
is mine, I will repay."
The crowd slunk away, except those
who remained to assist Shiblon in re-
moving his brother to the home of Am-
mon, who lived in the city. Here his
wounds were dressed; and he was
attended upon by Shiblon with all the
devotion of a loving brother.
His father forgave him, and took no
t
A Brother's Love. in
small pains in teaching him, instilling
into his soul faith in the great funda-
mental truths of the Gospel. And Cori-
anton's proud, haughty spirit now hum-
bled to the dust, listened with prayerful
attention to the instruction of his father,
and found the faith of the Gospel the
stay and hope of his soul, and no longer
questioned, but lovingly trusted in the
justice and mercy of God.
May it not be that even this great sin
was necessary to humble his pride, and
prepare him to receive and sense the
gospel, that by and through it he might
be prepared to receive the highest degree
of glory to which his nature could at-
tain, and which he never could have at-
tained with his pride unbroken?
'T give unto men weakness," saith the
Lord, "that they may be humble; and
my grace is sufficient for all men that
humble themselves before me."
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DATE DUE
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